Devonport Services 12, Sidmouth 17 Sidmouth travelled to Devonport with a makeshift side due to injuries and unavailability’s, but thanks to three under 16s were able to take 17 players and the under 16s proved to be the stars of the day.

It was a strange start to the match with the referee putting his back out whilst picking up his kit bag on arrival to the ground, both teams were warmed up and ready so it was decided that our coach Bo Vanstone would officiate the game.

Sidmouth started strongly and were putting pressure on the larger pack, playing most of the first 20 minutes in the Devonport half, the break through came with a fine bit of skill from under 16 Luke Wells-Burr cutting through the Devonport defence to score just right of the posts, Astley-Jones converted.

Just after Sidmouth took the lead James Massey-Birch had to leave the field with a suspected broken wrist. He was replaced by Charlie Cotton who was having only his 2nd run out for the colts, Sidmouth stayed on the front foot and Wells-Burr ran in a second unconverted try before half time.

From the start of the second half Sidmouth tried to take on the bigger Devonport pack up front but were not succeeding and kept getting turned over ,this allowed Devonport to get on the front foot and they ran in a try of their own. Followed closely by a penalty which they dually converted.

Sidmouths hard work finally got rewarded when Wells-Burr got his hat trick and sealed of a fine performance with another try. The boys should be proud of their performance , to travel away to Devonport and pick up a win is always a tough achievement. Rob Jones who has not played at scrum half before had a solid game and Haydon Down the other under 16 player held the scrum rock solid.

They want to continue their improved run of form when they take on Oakhampton at The Blackmore on Saturday Kick off 3pm.